Nintendo Delaying Switch 2 U.S. Pre-Orders Due To Tariffs And Market Drop

Nintendo Delays Switch 2 US Pre-Orders Amidst Tariff Uncertainty and Market Volatility

Nintendo has announced a delay to the US pre-orders for its upcoming Switch 2 console, originally scheduled for April 9th, 2025. The company cites the need to assess the impact of newly imposed tariffs and fluctuating market conditions as the reason for the postponement. The June 5th, 2025 launch date remains unchanged.

The Switch 2's price was recently revealed at $449, a significant increase of $150 over the original Switch and $50 higher than anticipated. While experts suggest the price increase may already account for potential tariff impacts, this remains unconfirmed.

The tariffs in question impose a 24% tax on goods from Japan and a 46% tax on goods from Vietnam, where Nintendo now manufactures some of its hardware and components. This adds to the complexity of the situation, as the console already commands a roughly $130 higher price in Japan compared to the US.

The "evolving market conditions" mentioned by Nintendo refer to the recent dramatic drops in major US stock indices, the Dow and Nasdaq, and similar declines in the Japanese Nikkei. This global economic uncertainty further complicates the situation.

This delay creates a pressing issue for Nintendo, especially given the console's impending launch in just two months. The company is already facing significant consumer backlash over the pricing of Mario Kart World, which has seen an $80 price hike in some regions. This situation raises concerns about potential future price increases for other titles.

While these tariffs will undoubtedly affect other gaming companies like Microsoft (Xbox) and Sony (PS5), whose production is also based in Asia, Nintendo's situation is unique. The announcement of the Switch 2's price coincided with the implementation of the tariffs, and the pre-order delay for what is likely its largest market adds to the pressure. The current situation is causing significant disruption across the industry.

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